Some of us have dreamed about writing a bestseller for a long time. A part of me was terrified when I published my first book. Would I be able to handle the fame that came with it? I mean, of course, I anticipated the critical acclaim and the validation it would bring, but the success… Continue reading How Long Does It Take To Write A Bestseller?

Well, I didn’t win the Costa Book Award, which is the first of today’s problems, but at least one of my favourite novels of last year – The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle – did, so that’s some consolation. Now before I delve into the dark and murky waters of #WriterProblems, I have to preface… Continue reading #WriterProblems ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

With the Oscars coming up, I’m reminded of one of my favourite speeches by composer Michael Giacchino for (coincidentally) one of my favourite animation features, UP. Of all the things he could have said, he spoke about the pervading myth/belief that doing something creative is a waste of time. Sure, we honour those at the… Continue reading Be Creative – It’s not a waste of time

I’ve just begun outlining my fourth novel. No-one is more surprised at reading those words than I am! Obviously, I’m still in the honeymoon period, meeting the characters, sussing out locations. There’s nothing like starting back at the beginning to remind you how delicate this process is and how, at one point, writing more than… Continue reading When One Novel Isn’t Enough

Originally published on Swirl and Thread as part of #IrishWritersWed “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.” Westward Ho – Samuel Beckett Full disclosure: I’ve never even read Beckett. However I am a sucker for inspirational quotes (if only I could remember them!). I immediately pinned this one, in the hope… Continue reading Fail Better

“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” W. Somerset Maugham. I could probably write a trilogy full of writing rules, do’s and don’t’s, tips and no-no’s when it comes to writing a best-selling novel. Naturally, there are general rules like, a story must have a beginning, a… Continue reading How To Write A Bestseller (maybe)